SBI Continues To Investigate Officer Involved Shooting On I-40

The NC SBI continues to investigate the weekend shooting of a Raleigh woman during an armed confrontation that followed a single vehicle accident on I-40 in southern Johnston County.

Around 6:30am Saturday, Tina Renee Medlin crashed her GMC Yukon Denali SUV on the westbound shoulder of I-40 near the 337 mile marker in the Meadow community.

A total of fourteen 911 calls were made about the crash. Prior to the officers arrival, one witness who approached the wrecked SUV said Medlin was armed with a gun and that she said she wanted to die. The caller said Medlin had placed the gun in her waistband and that she also had handcuffs. Another call said Medlin passed him on I-40 traveling approximately 120 MPH just prior to the crash.

When Trooper J.L. Taylor and Deputy Taylor Davis arrived on the scene there was an armed confrontation with Medlin. Medlin allegedly fired at the officers who returned fire and critically wounded the 50 year-old woman. Both officers are now on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in any officer involved shooting.

Initially, the Highway Patrol said Medlin died but later said she was critically injured.Medlin has a criminal history dating back to 1990 including an arrest in 2013 in Wake County for assault on a government official, resisting a public officer and injury to property.

The SBI is asking for any witnesses to the accident near the 337 mile marker, including anyone who saw the vehicle driving erratically prior to the crash to call the SBI at 1-800-334-3000. Photos by John Payne